Ballycuggaran

This stunning beauty spot boasts one of Lough Derg’s three Blue Flag Beaches, perfect for a stroll, feeding ducks and swans, or enjoying a refreshing swim in the lake.

Ballycuggaran (Baile Ní Chógaráin) is the ancestral homeland of the O’Cuggarans, a prominent family at the court of Brian Boru. Nearby Crag Hill, on the lower slopes of the Slieve Bernagh Mountains, offers breathtaking views of Lough Derg. Explore its early Christian fort, once the home of the O’Briens and the reputed birthplace of St. Flannan. At the highest point, Aoibheal’s Rock—legendary home of Aoibheal, fairy queen of the O’Briens—awaits discovery.

The area is rich in history, with ancient oak woods once used for shipbuilding and iron furnaces. Walkers can enjoy three way-marked trails, including the Crag Wood Walk, a moderate loop that connects to the East Clare Way. A trail to Moylussa, Clare’s highest point, was added in 2016, making Ballycuggaran a must-visit for nature lovers and history buffs alike!